No abstract

Farnesiferol C (FC) is one of the major compounds isolated from Ferula assafoetida, an Asian herbal spice used for cancer treatment as a folk remedy. Here, we examined the hypothesis that novel antiangiogenic activities of FC contribute to anticancer efficacy. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), exposure to the 10 to 40 μmol/L concentration range of FC inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tube formation, and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. In addition, FC inhibited the angiogenic sprouting of VEGF-treated rat aorta in an ex vivo model. Furthermore, FC inhibited the in vivo growth of mouse Lewis lung cancer allograft model by 60% (P < 0.001) at a daily i.p. dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight without any negative effect on the weight of the host mice. Immunohistochemistry staining showed decreased microvessel density (CD34) and proliferative index (Ki-67) without affecting the apoptotic (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) index. Mechanistically, FC decreased the binding of VEGF to VEGFR1/Flt-1, but not to VEGFR2/KDR/Flk-1.

No abstract

Background/Objective: Neuroendocrine hormones are derived from the hypothalamus. The central nervous system, particularly the hypothalamus, is capable of modulating the cytolytic activity of adherent natural killer (NK) cells. In addition, electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint enhances splenic NK cell and cytokine activities in rats. However, it is still unclear whether the anterior hypothalamus affects this immunomodulation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of EA stimulation at the Zusanli acupoint on the NK cell activity modulated by an anterior hypothalamic area lesion. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Lesions were placed by means of a direct current through a concentric electrode. The electric acupuncture stimulation was delivered for 30 min per each experiment at the right ST36 acupoint with an electrical stimulator. The NK cell activity of the spleen was measured by a fluorescence assay. Results: The NK cell activity was significantly reduced on the 2nd day after the lesion, but was restored to that of the sham group by the 7th day. However, when EA was applied for 2 days after the operation, the NK cell activity of the lesion group was restored to that of the sham group. After 7 days of EA, the NK cell activity of the lesion group was slightly higher than that of the sham group. Conclusion: From these results, we can suggest that EA enhances or restores the NK cell activity suppressed by an anterior hypothalamic area lesion.

A newly revised apparatus for argentometric precipitate titrations was fabricated and evaluated. A light emitting diode was adapted as a solid-state light source and a syringe pump was used for manipulating titrant both in stopped flow mode and continuous mode. The performance of the two modes was compared in terms of accuracy and precision. The continuous flow mode is much faster and shows generally higher accuracy under given experimental conditions. The patterns of precipitate titration curves were changed with different coagulant concentrations and addition flow rates of titrant. However, end point volumes were not affected by these experimental factors tested here.